Tigard, OR

Real Estate Market Trends in Tigard
According to the latest Zillow Real Estate Market Reports, home values in Tigard decreased -8.05% in the third quarter of 2008, compared to the third quarter of 2007. Nationally, home values decreased -9.7% during this same period.

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Nothing upsets me more than when I see an expired listing that only expired because it had a lazy agent involved. I had one of those experiences, but I have to say that lazy agent made me look like a rock star to this seller.

You see this home had been on the market for six months with another agent and that agent just couldn't sell it. It only had one picture on the MLS, she didn't do her homework on the property, and she was missing one big selling point about this property that made it a slam dunk for me to take the listing and get it sold.

But, these people wanted to try to sell it on their own for about another year because they thought all agents were stupid and it just didn't matter who they had. After they had finally been forced to move for work, then it was time to reconsider me. I told them the price was right and we should list it for just about $500 less to get it under a certain price point.

They agreed and then I said, "I have one more trick up my sleeve on this property that I think may get it sold fast. Give me a few hours and we will see if it is possible." We listed the home and I called them a few hours later and told them that my suspicions about the property were correct and I will get this sold.

That was Thursday night, so when I called them Friday night they asked, "Was there another question you had for us?" I had to say, "Yes, what one of the three offers, all above your original asking price, would you like to accept?"

They were floored! They couldn't believe that in 24 hours I was able to do what another agent and they couldn't do in a year and a half. Well, it got in to a bidding war and we ended up accepting an offer for $12,500 more than the original asking price less than 36 hours after putting it on the market.

What was the difference? I did my homework on the property and found out that a multi unit housing development could be built where this fixer home stands. Were my clients pleased? You bet! They have given me more referrals than any other client I have ever had. Do you think they talk bad about agents anymore? No, they don't. They only talk bad about one agent that didn't do her homework and wasted about a year and a half of this seller's time.

So, do your homework and you will be rewarded greatly for it, not only in the form of referrals, but also in life.

Todd Clark - broker
Kastings & Associates
Phone: (503)524-9494
Fax: (503)622-8739

Since we all know everything in the world tastes like chicken, I have to assume I do as well. But, that doesn't mean that I want to be eaten or even gnawed on for awhile. In the last month, I feel I have been lucky... that is lucky not to be a chew toy for some dog in a house that I am showing.

I love dogs, but even the friendliest dog, if it doesn't know you, may react and bite someone they don't know. What if I had kids with me and the friendly dog decided it didn't want to like kids today? 

So, if you have your home on the market, I beg of you, at least warn me there is a dog in the house. When I am opening a door and hear a bark...It really does scare the crap out of me, even if the dog's tail is wagging.

Also, if your dog should bite someone, the lawsuit that could follow could make you get nothing from the sale of your house after you pay the person who has been bit. If you do have a dog, I suggest you put them in the garage when you are not home and put a note on the garage door telling people that there is a dog in there and not to let them out.

Todd Clark - broker
Kastings & Associates
Phone: (503)524-9494
Fax: (503)622-8739

You go to a listing appointment and you know they want to price the house right, and now you want to do the best job you can for your clients. You ask them why they bought the house and what has been done to it, so you can use those to advertise. Hopefully the next buyer is looking for some great features like the ones you described.

But, I can only do so much I am not a person that can take a pile of **** and make it in to a rose bush. But let's see what you have for me and I will see how I can advertise that.

So, why did you buy the house in the first place?

Seller: Well, it was a great price and the neighbor girl was hot and like to sunbathe, well now she has moved and she was a ***** anyway.

Me: Great backyard with plenty of sunlight for sunbathing during the summer and with great new neighbors that just moved in.

What features do you like about the home?

Seller: Nothing besides when we leave we won't have to come in that front door again.

Me: Front door is very inviting, but you won't be able to wait to go back out to see the wonderful front yard and meeting your new neighbors.

We want to sell the home, please tell me something you like? Oh, please....

Seller: Well, the living room is wired for surround sound with those awesome Bose speakers and I enjoy the hottub, is that what you are looking for?

Please tell me it is staying? OK, they're not...

Me: House wired for surround, you just need to bring the speakers. In the backyard you have a pre-wired hottub pad waiting for you to bring your new hottub in that you can buy with your $7,500 tax credit from the federal government.

What do you think of the neighborhood?

Seller: The police are always over at the neighbors for noise complaints, they used to fight all the time.

Me: With police patrolling the area all the time, the neighborhood has a very low crime rate, just check out the police website. (Can I use that this home was featured on COPS?)

OK, let's go tour the property and get some pictures for the MLS and my website, is that alright?

Me: Can you please remove the handcuffs from the bed and the gun from the nightstand before I take the picture?

OK, let's head out to that backyard that gets so much sun... Hey, why didn't you tell me about the water fountain, people love those things and that is a selling point you know.

Seller: Oh, that is a water pipe that busted last year and we just haven't fixed it.

OK, I give...NEXT!

Todd Clark - broker
Kastings & Associates
Phone: (503)524-9494
Fax: (503)622-8739

Today, I've decided to cancel a listing, which something I never like to do, but the seller has a friend. Well you know how it goes, the friend gives him some advice and they pass it on to me and then when the home doesn't sell, it is my fault.

You see from the beginning, the seller has never wanted to quite listen to my pricing suggestions and he is always one step behind someone else in the neighborhood. When we first put the home on the market, he had to have it about $5,000 above where I suggested. The neighbor who put his home on the market 4 days later at the price I suggested sold in 6 days. Well, lost that buyer and now, "OK, Todd, I get it, lets lower the price" But, now it has been 30 days since that home had the offer and if we only lower in $5,000 now, it won't sell. There is another home going on the market tomorrow at $222,500 and we need to beat them.

The seller stays steadfast on his $5,000 price reduction only because his friend said, if they really want it, they will offer you less and you can just accept it. Well, guess what, they liked the homes equally and put an offer on the other one for $5,000 less and they accepted it. Hmmmm, so if they were equal, could he have won and had the offer on his place?

This has happened two more times since then. Six months is coming up and he still hasn't learned and wants to do it again on the advice of his friend. So, if you are a seller, don't be one step behind, because the winner in any race is the one who sets the pace and finishes the race first, ahead of the pack.

Todd Clark - broker
Kastings & Associates
Phone: (503)524-9494
Fax: (503)622-8739